AST and Federal Express offer unique on-site next business day Notebook Replacement Service; trained service technicians are dispatched to customer's site the next business day with replacement notebook in hand.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 1996--AST Research Inc. takes the lead when it comes to providing top-notch service solutions to its notebook customers.

AST has teamed with Federal Express Corp., the world's leading express transportation company, for a unique new next business day on-site notebook replacement program. The Express ONE(tm) (Overnight Notebook Exchange) program makes exchanging a notebook computer quick and easy.

Unlike other manufacturers that offer 24-hour repair service, AST's program provides on-site next business day replacement, so there is no repair guess-work. A fully functional replacement notebook is in the hands of the customer the next business day.

"AST selected Federal Express because of their excellent reputation and superior customer service. Our end-users rely on their AST notebooks day-in and day-out, wherever their work takes them. They need to be sure that if something goes wrong, AST will be there to make it right. That's what Express ONE does," said Matt Doyle, AST's vice president, service and support.

Express ONE is simple to use. If a customer detects a problem with his portable computer, he places a call to AST's Portable Technical Support. If the product support representative determines there is a hardware problem, a replacement unit is authorized to be sent to Federal Express.

By 10:30 a.m. the next day, a service technician calls the AST customer to set an appointment for delivery that day. At the customer site, the service technician unpacks the replacement unit, takes the components out of the customer's original notebook computer, such as the hard-drive, PC cards or additional memory, and installs them in the replacement unit.

The technician then performs an audit to confirm the system is operational, so that customers can get back to work immediately. The old unit is then packed up and shipped back to AST and the customer then keeps the replacement units as their own.

"The trained technicians follow strict guidelines so AST's customers receive first-class service worthy of their investment," said Rob Shirley, Federal Express' vice president, sales.

Affordable and Convenient

"The value of AST's Express ONE service program is quick response time. Other notebook vendors can't match the next-day up-and-running promise AST's program offers -- especially at the affordable prices they are charging," said Elena Christopher, an analyst with Dataquest, a renowned market research and consulting firm based in Massachusetts.

AST's next business day notebook replacement program costs are competitive with other manufacturer's on-site repair programs. A special introductory rate of $60 for one year or $198 for three years is available if Express ONE is acquired within 30 days of purchasing an AST notebook. After 30 days from notebook purchase, the cost is $108 for the remainder of the first year.

Express ONE Benefits Resellers

AST's authorized resellers receive a discount on the program, helping them maximize profits while still delivering top-rate customer service. In addition, it gives them a competitive response to products from direct marketers.

David Redding, inside sales manager with The Print Machine, a value-added reseller based in Greenville, S.C., said: "We're selling the program now and our customers love it. The benefit to us is that we don't have to do repairs in-house, which we couldn't do by the next business day anyway. In addition, we make money on the program. But the biggest advantage is that it keeps our customers satisfied."

Worldwide Service & Support

AST's Express ONE Notebook Replacement Service Program is available in the 48 contiguous states of the U.S. and is an add-on to the Ascentia family's worldwide three-year limited warranty, which gives users the flexibility and convenience of having their notebook computer serviced throughout the world.

The first year is covered automatically by ExeCare Plus 48-Hour Repair Service in the United States, with AST paying shipping fees. Years two and three are covered by a carry-in warranty service to more than 1,200 authorized service centers. Users can extend their ExeCare Plus 48-Hour Repair Service to years two and three for just $96.

In addition, AST backs all of its products with a host of multisource support programs including: -0-

-- AST's technical support hotline includes live 24-hour, 7-day a

week assistance as well as an interactive voice-response system,

InfoLine. InfoLine provides pre-recorded responses (which can

also be faxed) to many commonly asked technical questions. By

choosing InfoLine, customers can receive answers to questions

without waiting for live phone support. Both can be accessed

toll-free at 800/727-1278. -- Info-FAX is a voice-automated fax-response line which provides

users with product information. It can be accessed 24-hours a

day, seven days a week at 800/926-1278. -- AST OnLine!, AST's bulletin board service (817/230-6850) -- Prodigy(r): JUMP: AST -- CompuServe(r): GO: ASTSUPPORT -- America Online(r): Keyword: AST -- Internet e-mail: [e-mail]

Corporate Background

AST Research, a member of the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial and service companies, is one of the world's leading personal computer manufacturers. The $2.468 billion company develops a broad spectrum of desktop, mobile and server PC products that are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide.

AST systems meet a wide range of customer needs, ranging from corporate business applications to advanced home and home office use. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone: [phone] or 800/876-4278. Fax: [phone]. -0-

Note to Editors: AST, Ascentia, ExeCare Plus and Express ONE are registered trademarks of AST Research Inc. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc. Prodigy is a registered trademark of Prodigy Service Corp. America Online is a registered trademark of America Online Inc. All other product service names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: The Benjamin Group

Lisa M. Zwick, 714/727-7961

[e-mail]